It’s February, which means it’s time to honor Black History Month! Although Black History Month recognizes the significant achievements and lived experiences of Black individuals, many schools in the U.S. fail to acknowledge it and its nuances. Big businesses, too, have found a way to commodify the holiday, mass-producing disingenuous merchandise that will only stay on the shelves for a month. Evidently, corporate activism and greed, as well as a general refusal to actually talk about Black History Month, promotes a very limited view of the holiday.
Fortunately, YouTube, Instagram, and other social media apps give people a platform to discuss the origins, triumphs, and struggles associated with Black History Month — especially those that aren’t taught in schools. As to be expected, TikTok prevails as one of the most commonly-used apps for users to share BHM-related content. With Resistance as the theme of 2023’s Black History Month, Black content creators have been vocal about their own experiences, as well as those of prominent historical figures. From fashion to food, TikTokers have also been expressing self-love and joy through celebrations of Black culture — as well as uplifting Black-owned businesses. (There’s actually an app where you can search for Black-owned restaurants in your area, called EatOkra.) Though this is only a brief list of all the Black content creators out there, here are 10 users who are honoring Black History Month by sharing knowledge with their followers on their TikTok accounts.
- @Therealkamryne
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Kamryne, an advocate and educator, has a series on her channel called BHMYNS (Black History Month You’ll Never Learn In School). According to Kamryne, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech was actually inspired by Prathia Hall, an activist and Civil Rights leader who repeated the titular phrase in a speech of her own.
- @jamaiwuyor
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Jessica Ann Mitchell (J.A.M.) Aiwuyor’s account is committed to debunking false Black history information you might’ve learned in elementary school, in addition to making lesser-known facts more widespread. For instance, Aiwuyor disproves the assumption that Rosa Parks was just a seamstress — she was also a NAACP secretary and community activist.
- @jordxn.simone
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For every day in February, poet Jordan Simone shares a Black History Month fast fact. For example, Simone says it wasn’t until 2021 that Sesame Street had a Black woman as a full-time puppeteer (29-year-old Megan Piphus Peace). Her channel also includes Black History Month reminders, highlighting the little recognition and pay Black content creators, business owners, and employees receive.
- @zoes_reads
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Looking for a good book to read? Zoe has a full rundown of titles by Black authors that you have to check out this month (and every month of the year), from Toni Morrison’s Sula to Leah Johnson’s You Should See Me in a Crown. I’d like to personally thank her for organizing her recommendations by genre.
- @farrahrochon
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Continuing with our theme of BookTokers, we have Farrah Rochon, author of The Boyfriend Project series and Almost There (a twisted retelling of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, FYI). In one of her TikToks, Rochon gives us a breakdown of what historical events influenced The Princess and the Frog. As it turns out, Princess Tiana was inspired by Leah Chase, a real-life restaurant owner.
- @iseeyouqueen
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In addition to sending followers motivational messages every Monday, Mercedes Lee’s series “I See You Queen” commemorates Black excellence. Each episode focuses on a different Black woman in history, like Marie Maynard Daly, the first Black woman to achieve a doctorate in chemistry. Lee says Daly also made strides in research on cigarettes and how they damage the lungs.
- @kaishacreates
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Kaisha’s series “Living Legends” pays homage to notable figures you might know already, or haven’t heard much about. Marisha Wallace is one of many legends that Kaisha features on her account. A Broadway and West End actress, Wallace has starred in productions like Guys and Dolls, Waitress, Something Rotten, and currently, Dreamgirls.
- @folxhealth
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Chrys takes over Folx Health TikTok to recognize queer Black leaders, from activist Bayard Rustin to esteemed playwright Lorraine Hansbury. In another video on this channel, content creator Jordan Paige shares their thoughts on crowdfunding and how the world can show financial support for Black, queer, and trans people.
- @_cicimichele
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Beauty and fashion expert Cici Michele combines her love of cosmetology with Black history facts. In a series on her channel entitled “Black Hair Is Black History,” Michele explains the historical significance and origins of different Black hairstyles, like locs and cornrows.
- @taylorcassidyj
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Taylor Cassidy recreates monumental moments in Black history with equal parts education and humor. In one of their “Fast Black History” TikToks, Cassidy explains the history of voting for Black women. Fannie Lou Hamer continuously fought for voting rights for Black people in the 1960s, and she went on to co-found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Also, did you know that the song “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder was written for MLK, Jr.? Cassidy did.
Of course, I urge you to do some more digging — both online and off — to learn more about the contributions Black people have made and continue to make to society. And by all means, don’t limit your education to just social media — or to just February. Take Zoe and Farrah’s advice and pick up a book by a Black author. If you’re not much of a reader, there are so many other ways to actively support and celebrate Black lives throughout the year, from making contributions to organizations like Black Women’s Health Imperative and the ACLU Foundation to attending local protests. Black history doesn’t merely concern the past — it also shapes the present and future lives of Black people. And it deserves to be celebrated year-round.